More than £70k Raised for Jay Slater’s Family After Teen’s Heartbreaking Death in Tenerife
More than £70,000 has been raised to support Jay Slater’s family, following a desperate plea from his grieving mum to give him the “send-off he deserved.” The GoFundMe page exploded with donations, pulling in £70,081 from over 5,600 generous supporters.
Jay’s Tragic Story: Found After Four-Week Search
The 19-year-old apprentice bricklayer vanished in a remote northern Tenerife spot last July. A gruelling four-week search involving police, mountain rescue teams, and volunteers ended in heartbreak when Jay’s body was discovered this Monday.
Jay was last seen on June 17, after missing a bus. He’d told a friend he’d try walking back to his accommodation – a staggering 11-hour trek. He later travelled to a remote Airbnb with two men, including Briton Ayub Qassim, before leaving early to head home.
A local cafe owner saw Jay just before he disappeared. He’d asked about bus times but refused to wait two hours and was last spotted walking out of the village. His phone signal was last picked up in Rural de Teno National Park — close to where his body was eventually found.
Family Pleads Against Rumours, Thanks Supporters
“We are overwhelmed with grief and are so grateful for your support,” said Jay’s mum, Debbie Duncan. “We want to give our boy the send-off he deserves, so please do continue to share and support our fundraiser however you can.”
Debbie also condemned conspiracy theories circulating online, saying, “These are hindering investigators and are vile to see as a family.”
She added: “Jay was a typical young man who loved life, with a bright future ahead. This month would have marked the end of his three-year apprenticeship. He was loved by everyone, with a close bond to family and friends.”
Community Comes Together in Jay’s Memory
The outpouring of love and generosity shows how many people want to honour Jay’s memory and help ease his family’s pain during this unimaginable time.
